After nearly seven years leading WhatsApp, Will Cathcart is moving to a new role within Meta. CRED founder Kunal Shah will take over as the platform's next leader. The transition marks one of the biggest leadership changes WhatsApp has seen since Cathcart took over in 2018.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| News: | WhatsApp leadership change |
| Outgoing head: | Will Cathcart |
| Incoming head: | Kunal Shah, founder of CRED |
| Previous news: | How to check if you're blocked on WhatsApp using encryption! |
Will Cathcart announced he's stepping down as head of WhatsApp
Cathcart announced that he is leaving his role as head of WhatsApp after almost seven years, since 2018. He shared the news on X and on his WhatsApp channel on June 22, 2026. In his post, he said that WhatsApp "is in the strongest position it's ever been", and that this felt like the right moment to step back. He also said he is proud of what the team built together. He pointed to end-to-end encryption, which is available to more than three billion people on group chats and companion devices.
Cathcart is moving to a new role within Meta
Cathcart is not leaving Meta. He will move into a new role focused on building products from the ground up. Mark Zuckerberg confirmed this in a post on Facebook, where he called Cathcart "one of Meta's most important and effective leaders". Zuckerberg also said he is grateful for Cathcart's partnership over the years and looks forward to continuing to work with him in this new capacity.
Kunal Shah will be WhatsApp's next leader
Cathcart named his successor in the same post: Kunal Shah, founder of the Indian fintech company CRED. He credited Shah with building CRED into one of India's most important technology companies. Cathcart also said Shah has a deep care for the people who rely on Meta's apps. In his own statement, Zuckerberg said much the same thing: Shah brings a builder mentality and a global perspective to the role.
Who is Kunal Shah
Kunal Shah is an Indian entrepreneur known for building two major companies. He first co-founded FreeCharge, an online recharge platform, which Snapdeal acquired in 2015 for around $400 million. Then, he started CRED in 2018, a platform that rewards users for paying their credit card bills on time. Under his leadership, CRED grew into one of India's most recognized fintech brands. It later expanded into lending and insurance.
Shah is stepping back from CRED to join Meta
Shah confirmed the move in his own post on X, where he said CRED is ready for its next phase. Miten Sampat will take over as interim CEO at CRED, after leading the company's strategy and finance since 2020. Shah said he will remain a shareholder even though he is leaving his operating role. As part of the transition, Meta is also investing in CRED, taking a minority stake reportedly worth around $900 million.
Cathcart's seven years at the helm of WhatsApp
Cathcart took over WhatsApp in 2018, a year after joining the company. During his tenure, WhatsApp expanded end-to-end encryption to group chats, companion devices, and several other products. WhatsApp grew from a few hundred million users to more than three billion people worldwide. He also became one of the most visible voices who defends private messaging in front of regulators and lawmakers around the world. At the same time, he pushed back against spyware companies that try to undermine encryption.
What this change could mean for WhatsApp going forward
Shah's background is heavily focused on payments and financial products, an area WhatsApp has been expanding for years, especially in markets like India. His appointment suggests that Meta may want to push further into payments and business tools on the platform. However, it's still too early to know exactly how Shah will approach the role. For now, neither Cathcart nor Shah has said anything yet about changes to the core messaging experience.
Connect with WABetaInfo
Follow WABetaInfo on X and visit our About page to learn more about what we do. We always appreciate your feedback on posts like this one.